Welcome Message
World Association of Lesson Studies (WALS) International Conference 2016
3-5 September 2016, University of Exeter (UK)
Conference theme:
LESSON STUDY: TRANSFORMING TEACHING AND TEACHER LEARNING IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
We are very pleased to be hosting the World Association of Lesson Studies (WALS), its 10th Annual International Conference, at the University of Exeter, UK from September 3-5, 2016. This is the first time that the WALS conference has taken place in the UK and the second time outside Asia.
The conference theme focuses on the role of Lesson Study in leading teaching developments and its role in professional learning in the context of professional learning communities.
Our aim is to bring together practitioners and researchers from across the world to share their knowledge, understanding and experience of Lesson Study as a form of practice-based research. There has been a growing interest and use of Lesson Study in the various areas of the UK over the last decade associated with various well-regarded university departments of Education.
As one of these centres, the Graduate School of Education (GSE) at the University of Exeter has been involved in funded research and development in the Lesson Study field since 2010 as part of a wider interest in practice-based research. Our educational research advances policy, theory and practice and contributes to the broader vision of Education, both nationally and internationally. GSE is a leading centre for the study of Education, offering a wide range of initial teacher education/ training and postgraduate courses. The recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) results confirmed our position as one of the top ten education research centres in the country. The Graduate School of Education creates a world-leading research environment that produces world-leading research outputs.
We are very pleased to invite researchers and practitioners working in the school environment and from different parts of the world to join us for the WALS 2016 conference that will involve keynote speakers; paper presentations; symposium presentations; workshops; poster presentations; and school visits. It is really a worldwide international event for researchers, educators, school teachers, those who work in collaboration with teachers (e.g. advisors, consultants, educational psychologists), policy makers and other scholars to share their knowledge with each other. We hope you will also find the various types of sessions and events interesting. These will cover topics of relevance, such as learning at school, early years, special needs and inclusive education, large-scale educational development: Learning Study, etc.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
- Professor Kiyomi Akita (Tokyo, Japan)
- Dr Pete Dudley (UK)
- Professor Catherine Lewis (California, USA)
- Professor Andy Hargreaves (Boston, USA)
***One day conference attendance is available***
Professor Brahm Norwich
Chairperson: WALS 2016
Organising Committee: University of Exeter, UK
Accommodation
Conference participants can stay:
1. In University accommodation (Post graduate student facilities: £69.95 for a double room and £58.95 for a single room per night)
www.exeter.ac.uk/eventexeter/accommodation
Click 'BOOK B&B NOW'.
2. In local hotels or Bed and Breakfast. If you find one of these hotels is fully booked, please let us know and we will amend our list.
| Hotel name | Description | Distance from conference | Website |
| The Raffles Hotel | Small | 1.1km | www.raffles-exeter.co.uk |
| Park View | Convenient | 1.3km | www.parkviewexeter.co.uk |
| Premier Inn (Exeter St Davids) | National chain, Opposite train station | 1.4 km | www.premierinn.com |
| Clock Tower Hotel | Convenient | 1.4km | www.clocktowerhotel.co.uk |
| Telstar hotel | Cozy | 1.4km | www.telstar-hotel.co.uk |
| Town House Exeter | Contemporary | 1.6km | www.townhouseexeter.co.uk |
| Silversprings St Davids | Apartment | 1.6km | www.silversprings.co.uk |
| Jury’s Inn | This is the 'hub-hotel' for WALS council members | 1.6km | www.jurysinns.com/hotels/exeter |
| Queens Court Hotel | Boutique | 1.6km | www.queenscourt-hotel.co.uk |
| Bendene | Swimming Pool | 1.6km | www.bendene.co.uk |
| Abode Exeter | Luxury | 2.0km | www.abodeexeter.co.uk |
| Premier Inn (Exeter Central) | Large national chain | 2.1km | www.premierinn.com |
| St Olave’s hotel | Romantic | 2.1km | www.olaves.co.uk |
| Southgate Hotel | Mid Range | 2.2km | www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-6624-mercure-exeter-southgate-hotel/index.shtml |
| White Hart | Historical | 2.3km | www.whitehartpubexeter.co.uk |
| Globe Backpackers | Dormitory accommodation | 2.5km |
exeterbackpackers.co.uk/exeter Book via www.hostelworld.com |
Budget accommodation is available for student delegates and delegates from developing countries. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like more information about this.
Travelling to Exeter from London
This can be done by train, bus or car.
The WALS conference will be held at the Streatham Campus of the University of Exeter.
Train: the best link is between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids stations: hourly trains taking between 2 and 2.5 hours (this is quickest route). See www.trainline.com or Great Western Rail link: www.gwr.com.
Train tickets can be purchased now and are much cheaper if you buy them in advance. Train tickets bought on the day will be extremely expensive.
There is a slower, cheaper train from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids, which takes about 3 hours, you can book here. Again, book from three months in advance for cheaper tickets.
Exeter St Davids station is about 15 minutes walking distance from the University campus
Travel between London Heathrow airport and Central London train stations:
By Heathrow Express (fastest train), Heathrow connect (slower train) and by underground Piccadilly line.
Bus: This is much slower; see National Express www.nationalexpress.com
There is a bus which goes from Heathrow Airport to Exeter City Centre, but this is fairly slow, it is the cheapest option and can be booked immediately.
Car: Exeter is about 165 miles from central London and there are different routes: either by motorway via Bristol on the M4 and M5 or by the M3 and A303 road. We recommend this route planner. Parking on site is very limited, pay and display only, and parking spaces are not guaranteed for delegates.
Terms and Conditions
WALS 2016 Conference
Confirmation
An email confirmation will be issued to all registrants on completion of this registration form. If you do not receive this email within 3 days of registering, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Joining instructions are sent at least 2 weeks before the Conference to delegates that have paid their registrations fees. If you have not received these at least a week before the Conference, please contact the Office at xxxxxx.
Cancellation
Notification of cancellation must be received by email to
Xxxxxx by the AAAAAA 2016. Cancellations cannot be received by phone. Please ensure you receive acknowledgement of this from the organisers if you cancel.
Cancellations will incur an administrative charge of 20% of the registration fee.
After the AAAAAA 2016 there will be no refunds.
Refunds will not be given for no-shows at the conference.
In the event of WALS cancelling the conference, WALS are only liable to pay any delegate fees already paid, and not personal travel arrangements. Delegates are advised to take out their own personal insurance to cover this.
Payments
Payment must be received prior to the conference. Access will not be permitted to the conference if full payment has not been received.
If paying by invoice, a purchase order number must be submitted. Payment must be received by the 29th July 2016.
If payment is not received by the Conference, you will be charged via credit/debit card for the outstanding balance.
Data Protection
Data Protection Act 1998: I agree to WALS, processing personal data contained within the registration process, or other data which may be obtained from me or other people or organisations whilst I am applying for this event. I agree to the processing of such data for any purpose connected with my attendance at WALS, or my health and safety whilst on event premises or for any other legitimate purpose. By registering I agree to the terms and conditions above and confirm that payment for this event will be made in full before I attend.
Other
All delegates attending the session must pay the registration fee. This includes any panels or discussants that may only be attending for the one session, unless specifically invited by the WALS organizing committee.
Dietary requirements can not be guaranteed.
WALS accepts no legal responsibility for facts stated or opinions expressed during the event. It is the responsibility of individuals to satisfy themselves as to which facts and opinions should be relied on in any way whatsoever.
If you require a visa letter to confirm your registration please complete the online registration form and make payment. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a letter after you have registered and made payment. Please note invitation letters can only be issued to invited speakers. Delegates and abstract submitters can be given a letter to confirm their registration/abstract submission. If your visa is declined we are only able to offer refunds in line with our cancellation terms and conditions.
The registration fees do not include the insurance of delegates against personal accidents, sickness, and cancellations by any party, theft, loss or damage to personal possessions. Delegates are advised to take out adequate personal insurance to cover travel, accommodation, cancellation and personal effects.
